Dearest female cherub,

Once again it’s time for your birthday letter and once again it’s late. It’s fantastically late, setting new records even! I continue to make fabulous failings in this area. You’re welcome. Now let’s never speak of this again.

For you’re 9th birthday we hosted a fashion shoot birthday party for 8 of your closest friends. We had some really fun pictures from that.

But being a DeGraff, that would never be enough, so of course there was a family celebration. Although you were turning 9, you enjoy eating with the 60 and over set, so the family celebrated by eating at Piccadilly and then headed to the movies. We watched Spy Kids Smell-a-vision and then finished the night up by purchasing half the books at Borders going out of business sale. Good times. If you are 72 yrs, or enjoy putting sharp objects in your left eye.

I’m sure there were many other spectacular events, but it’s simply been too long. Yes, something to be said for writing these things in a timely fashion. Duly noted. I thought I said to never mention it again?

Emmers, you have turned into quite a beauty. I hesitate to mention it because I certainly want you to be known for other things, but it’s there. And it’s certainly hard to ignore. I hear it every where we go. That and the bit about your really great hair, that I’m not bitter about at all. Nope.

You continue to love dance. This year we have switched to a professional studio and you are flourishing there. It always cracks me up how you trip on the way into dance and then dance like the most graceful creature ever. I think you may get that from me. Sorry.

And lets not forget how you spread your wings even further by spending the summer attending musical theater camp. There’s no better place for you than on the stage!

You continue to be a good student and a social butterfly. At this point I doubt that this will ever change. That is simply who you are. A smart, caring, loving person who cares about everyone, (and needs to talk to them all.) There are a whole lot worse things to be in life.

Keep up the good work. I love you always,
Mom